There’s no place like home… Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.
But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here.
Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs' home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried.
Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?
3.5⭐ Genre ~ women's fiction Series ~ Wagging Tails Dogs' Home #3 Others in the seriesThe Wagging Tails Dogs' Home, Chasing Dreams at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home Setting ~ UK Publication date ~ March 20, 2024 Page Count ~ 292 (33 chapters +e) Audio length ~ 7 hours 43 minutes Narrator ~ Sophie Dora Hall POV ~ single 3rd Featuring ~ small town, slow burn, second chance, no steamage
Sally is the dog trainer at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home. While in town one day she sees her ex-boyfriend, Andy, who she has never stopped thinking about.
There's a developer that's trying to build right behind the rescue and no one in this small town is thrilled about this. What I enjoy most about this series is everyone's dedication to the dogs and the camaraderie within the rescue. They really go above and beyond to make these sweet pups feel comfortable while they wait for their furever home.
The romance isn't prominent and very slow burn. We've got some added family drama to add a little extra layer to Sally. Overall, while where the plot is taking us is quite obvious it was still an enjoyable cozy read.
Series notes: I would actually say not totally necessary to read the first two books. Book 1's main character has quite a bit of page time, but book 2's does not.
Narration notes: I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
I received a review copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley for which my thanks.
Having read Chasing Dreams at the Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home and enjoyed it, though it isn’t my usual choice of genre, when I was offered a copy of this one, I was pleased to read it, once again very much loving the setting of the book in a dogs’ rescue home where we ‘meet’ a lot of the different residents, learn their stories and see them either adopted or reunited with their families. There is a romance thread at the centre of it (with humans, not dogs) of course.
This is a series of books (three so far) set around the Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home in fictional West Par in Cornwall run by sixty-five-year-old Flora, widowed soon after she set up the home with her husband. In each book there is a romance thread involving someone associated with or working at the home while we also follow along life at Wagging Tails as they take care of the different dogs and cope with various problems that arise off and on.
In A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home (2024), we meet Sally a relatively new employee at the home who essentially trains the rescues, helping them overcome any fears or issues they might have so that they can settle happily with their new families. We learn that Sally had studied and partly trained as a solicitor as her family expected her to join the family firm, but while she underwent some of that training, she realised her heart lay elsewhere. She has trained as a dog trainer since and besides working at Wagging Tails also runs private classes for students for behaviour and agility training. Sally has been dating a few people off and on but she always finds herself comparing them to Andy the boyfriend she broke up with before starting her legal training. When Andy suddenly appears at West Par (now running his father’s business), they rekindle the relationship but Andy seems apprehensive somehow. Will this second chance work out?
Meanwhile, at the home we follow everyday developments and catch up with characters previously met but new troubles arise as a developer who’s acquiring the land next to the home is seeking to buy them out, resorting to every possible threat and intimidation. What will now happen to Wagging Tails and all its dogs?
Like the last book, my favourite part of these books are the home and the dogs themselves. We see the different issues that crop up with different dogs, how the employees must go about managing and looking after them, rearranging kennels or having to organise special sessions with some of the dogs, some even going home with Flora. This time we have Puddles, a dachshund terrified of other dogs though comfortable with humans; Cindy, a greyhound with separation anxiety; and Bonnie, a grey Staffie mix whose loving owner must heartbrokenly surrender her for he no longer has a job and the resources to look after her. We go along with Sally and Ginny (who was the focus on book 1) to rescue a German Shepherd and even witness a training session. I loved these sections of the story especially and liked that the author presents things realistically; we meet dogs who’ve been mistreated as much as those who’ve been loved and see both dream adoptions and heartbreaking surrenders.
Besides the story itself, Hope also in an afterward has highlighted the work of a Dogs’ Home she supports (Wellidogs) much like she brought up the issue of excessively high vet bills in the last one, and I think while being nice feel-good stories, these also do a great job (both in the story and through her notes) raising awareness on rescue work, challenges faced and how those that are interested might possibly help.
Back to the story, the home must also face the unscrupulous developer who is willing to stop at little to get them to sell (in his favour, he doesn’t try anything outrightly criminal). From offering more and more attractive prices to intimidating them by starting construction right next to the home. The home and its employees and many in town rally though, with protests and writing to those in power, but how it gets sorted, you must read to find out.
The romance thread is a second-chance one and different in that it was Sally rather than Andy who broke up the relationship and for reasons she seemed to think made sense but which she didn’t share with Andy at the time. This obviously causes some obstacles in the way of their reconciliation and as I mentioned, there are some apprehensions from Andy’s side too—the reader can easily guess his reasons from the start but Sally herself does not. Sally like the typical romance heroine (at least based on the few I’ve encountered) is always making assumptions and jumping to (the wrong) conclusions which while something that can likely happen, does feel rather annoying—especially as she does so even after receiving sensible advice. But anyway, things do eventually sort out though once again, you’ll have to read it to see how.
A gentle, charming, feel-good read, which as with the other book I read from the series, I loved for the dogs and the setting!
Review for 'A Fresh Start At Wagging Tails Dog Home' by Sarah Hope.
Read and reviewed for Sarah Hope, NetGalley, Boldwood, Book & Tonic and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.
Publication date 20th March 2024.
This is the third book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in The Wagging Tails Dogs' Home Series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'The Wagging Tails Dog Home' (book 1 in this series) and 'Chasing Dreams At Wagging Tails Dog Home' (book 2) and would highly recommend them both!!
This novel consists of 33 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
Love, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely gorgeous page turner!! An absolute must read!!! An absolutely stunning addition to this amazing series and I'm counting the seconds until the third book is ready for me to get lost in so I really hope your busy writing it Sarah!!!!!
OMG!!! I absolutely LOVE this gorgeous page turner and I LOVE this stunning series. I must say that this series is one of my favourites!! I just cannot WAIT for the next book in this series to come out!! It is just guaranteed to be stunning!! Any books that revolve around animals is a HUGE bonus for me!!! I am a MASSIVE animal lover and with all my pets being rescues to, volunteering in rescues, working in rescues and now running my own little cat rescue (Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice which you can look up on Facebook if you are interested) I know exactly how Flora and the rest of the amazing characters feels and have the same passion running through me for the animals so I was 100000% invested in this beautiful storyline all about Wagging Tails Dog Home. I fell in love with the dogs home in the first book in this series and fell even deeper in love with this gorgeous addition to this absolutely stunning series!!! Sarah even goes one step further than just writing a stunning fictional story about a dog rescue and that is the fact that she has not only based her beautiful story on a genuine no kill shelter called Wellingborough Dog Welfare (Wellidogs) based in Grendon, Northamptonshire and even helps to promote it in her notes so I want to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU AND WELL DONE Sarah for promoting what seems to be an amazing rescue but to also for your kind notes in your acknowledgements thanking volunteers and workers at dog rescues, such an amazing thing to do!!! I absolutely adore the fact that you based many of the rescue dogs in the books on the dogs at Wellidogs such as basing Ralph on Wellidogs resident dogs. Just amazing and I absolutely love it and I really cannot compliment this book enough!!! Even if you are a reader who has no experience with rescue or animals at all Sarah's stunning and evocative writing skills will drop you straight into the middle of Wagging Tails Dogs Home as well as Trestow, Cornwall where she ensures you can hear the dogs' happy barks and absolutely fall in love with this beautiful series. This book is extremely well written with vivid and evocative descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline. It is one of those books that are very easy to read and perfect for any reading situations whether you are laying on a beach or curled up in front of a fire. It is an absolutely ideal read for anyone who is looking for a fantastic read that will have you hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely LOVED the realism of this storyline which made it so easy to picture everything that was going on which had been helped by Sally's fantastic evocative writing skills. I cannot wait to get hooked into more of Sally's books so I hope she is busy writing her next one!! This is definitely one of those books that will turn a frown upside down and make life seem a lot brighter. It is packed with fun, dogs, romance, heartbreak, friendship, anger, second chances laughter and everything you could ask for in a fantastic feel good book. I can promise you it will be a fun rollercoaster ride of drama, romance, dogs, festivity and absolutely everything you could want in an absolutely unforgettable and stunning page turner!!!! Sarah's evocative writing skills drew me deep into the book bringing the atmosphere and characters to life all around me. It is one of those books that I could not put down. I ended up walking around the house looking at my kindle reading away and absolutely devoured it in one sitting. Roll on the next book in this beautiful series!!! This is one of those amazing series that can go on and on for hundreds of books about all the amazing rescue dogs and I will never get bored!!!
Well done Sarah on an absolutely stunning and perfect addition to an absolutely stunning series!!!
Although this is the third book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the first book. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. It also makes them more realistic, believable and made me feel even more for them than I normally would. I was landed to return to the Wagging Tail dog home and meet some of my favourite characters again from the first book and I was not disappointed. I fell in love with all the new characters as well as back in love with all the previous ones. In this book we get to know the dog trainer Sally more and find out about her background and family. Sally is in the previous book so I have previously met her but it was nice to get to know her more in this one. We find out how she lost the love of her life Andy after being together and travelling for many years. Andy wanted to continue travelling but Sally had to stay to run the family business. Sally didn't want to hold Andy back from living his dreams so ended the relationship with him. However, 7 years later with her working in the dogs home she runs into him in the cafe and discovers he is now running his father's business with work locally. I wont say anymore about the storyline but just to give you a bit of an idea of the storyline and characters. My heart went out to Sally with everything that she gave up for her family and then because of what happens in the book and I was rooting for her to find happiness and love with Andy again. I also really liked Andy who was a really sweet nice guy and I am hoping we continue to see him throughout this beautiful series!! I absolutely LOVE Ginny in regards to her love for the dogs at the rescue. I was so pleased to meet her again!!! She is such a kind hearted person and a MASSIVE animal lover and she is definitely the type of person I would love to have in my life!!! The passion she has for the dogs sparks out of the pages and you really can feel the emotions running through your fingertips!!! I am so pleased that her and Darryl's relationship is still going as strong as ever (you can see how it began in book one!). Flora is just one in a million and the world needs more people like her. Flora owns and runs the rescue and would give her last penny to the dogs. That is a true rescue and a true hero!!! I cannot wait to meet her again and again in this series. I could go on and on about the amazing characters as there were so many I love meeting time and time again but I will easily write an essay so will just keep it short. The other characters were also just as amazing and intriguing and I loved getting to know each of them and looking forward to getting to know them more as well as (hopefully) seeing some relationships grow between certain characters!!! I really cannot wait to meet Alex, Susan, Malcolm, Tim and Percy as well as all the dogs including Luke, Dougal, Ralph, Nala, Cindy and Bonnie plus the many more characters and dogs soon!!!!!! It was amazing seeing Puddles , Dory, Marlin, Nemo, Peonie get their happy ending although it would be nice for them to come to visit the rescue again. What I loved especially in this particular story is that we get to see so many of the previous residents that have been rehomed again such as Alfie and Oscar, Tyler, Archie and Scooby Doo to name a few!!! From greyhounds to cockapoos, jackapoodles to spaniels and cavapoochon to vizla's there is a dog breed for everyone is this stunning book and series!! Each of the characters and dogs are memorable and unique in their own ways and they are a group of people that I wont be forgetting any time soon!
Pick up this book and get lost in this absolutely STUNNING page turner! Regardless of whether you have read the first book or not you won't regret reading this absolute beauty!!!!
Congratulations Sarah on yet another absolutely GORGEOUS read that I just could not put down!!! I absolutely loved the first and second books in this series and thought there was no chance you could make the third book as good or better but you absolutely blew it out of the water!!! Absolutely LOVED IT!!! I cannot wait to read more of your previous and future books. This is one of those book series' that could literally go on and on with 1000's of books and I would never tire of them! I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! This is the EXACT reason you are on my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Sarah's 'The Seaside Ice-Cream Parlour', which promises to be just as stunning as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!!
Overall another unputdownable, gorgeous, STUNNING page turning book filled with dog, tears, drama, romance, fun, laughter, friendship and so much more by the amazing Sarah!!
292 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon, at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
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A Fresh Start At Wagging Tails Dogs' Home by Sarah Hope
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
There’s no place like home… Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.
But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here.
Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs' home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried.
Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?
My Opinion
I am going to start by saying that this is such a lovely series. I really enjoy returning to the Wagging Tails Dogs' Home - whilst this is the third book in the series I feel that this could work well as a standalone. As an animal lover, this was such an adorable read and a very welcome escape.
This was such a beautiful book with some stunning writing that will appeal to animal lovers and romance fans. A light-hearted, enjoyable read.
This wasn’t a terrible read but it also wasn’t a good read. Kind of in the middle but less than so-so. Sally is just too clueless and focused on everything dog related without noticing normal things around her. The plot “twist” was too obvious from the start, making the book feel like a chore instead of a relaxing read.
"A Fresh Start At Wagging Tails Dogs' Home" by Sarah Hope book 3 in the series. What can I say other than I enjoyed it and read in one day. I liked going back to Wagging Tails Fog Home and catching up with everyone but this time from Sally’s perspective.
Personally I would love to escape to a small Cornish village by the sea and a dog rescue…
There’s no place like home… Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.
It had everything you could want in a story love, family, community and second chances.
I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. There were multiple sub-plots like the proposed development and the fate of the rescue to keep you engaged and interested in the outcome.
I will definitely read other books by this author.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Boldwood Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sally is happily fitting in to working as a dog trainer at the Wagging Tails Dog's Home when she unexpectedly meets her ex-boyfriend. This coincides with the home being at risk of a housing development in the next field and being under pressure to sell to the developers. This is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, however you would miss out on the backstory (I still haven't had a chance to read the first one languishing in my TBR list, although I also enjoyed the second one). It gives an insight into the work carried out at Dog's home such as this and I must admit that there were moments that maybe caused my eyes to water. There is also the simmering romance between Sally and Andy, her ex, all set in the background of an area that I love. A satisfying read that made me root for the continuing success of the dog's home and Sally and Andy's relationship. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
Lovvved this beautiful romantic story, made me enjoy the chemistry between Sally and Andy, made me smile at how Sally and her kennel friends helped care for the dogs at Wagging Tails, etc. Highly recommend to all romance lovers and dog lovers.
The Wagging Tails book series can be summed up in one word: cozy. It’s why I’ve read every single book. And this go around, we get to see the world from Sally’s perspective. Sally used to live a more mainstream lifestyle, with a background in legalities, but there was something magical about West Par and Wagging Tails. The opportunity to work with dogs and to open up her own business as a dog trainer feels like a dream come true–so much so, that the life she used to live can get to feeling like it is a distant memory lived by someone else. Until she runs into her ex-boyfriend, Andy.
Her former world and her current one collides in an instant, bringing back a lot of past pain and heaps of regret. There is a reason she considers him as the one who got away. It was sweet to see how the two characters cautiously work towards trying to bridge the gap in their relationship, but at the same time, Andy’s behaviors are odd and at times, off putting. When they are spending time together, he receives phone calls that cut their time short. It always feels like there’s something more he wants to tell Sally, but he never seems to get it out–only to assure her that things are fine, even though she knows it can’t be true.
Has he truly forgiven her for the past? It weighs heavily on Sally. Not to mention the recent drama with a developer who stops at nothing to try to convince the owner of Wagging Tails to sell. As the chapters unfold, the future of Wagging Tails becomes a real concern. Sally and the crew will do everything they can to ensure the safety and security of their beloved dogs’ home–I really loved the surprise birthday party they threw for one of their own, and the callback to some of the familiar dogs I remember from other books in this series. It was a really nice touch, and helped to show just how important it is to save this home!
There were many different factors and themes at play within A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. The need for security and trust–no matter the type of relationship you’re in. Solidifying what truly makes YOU happy, even if it might not make sense or meet the approval of others. And doing all you can for those you love and cherish, whether those you loved come in human or canine form. This was a great addition to the Wagging Tails book series–a definite five-star read!
This is the 3rd book in the series and, as is often the case, the first one I have read. This is one of those books that has a wonderful feel and I have read other series that give that same sense of community.
The story is set around Wagging Tails Dogs' Home, a rescue centre for pouches who are lost, found or needing some care. I will say the author obviously loves her doggy cast and she has definitely done her research into how this type of establishment is run. As a dog owner and dog lover this is impressive and also adds to the overall importance of the message behind the story.
The fields alongside the Dogs' Home have been bought and Flora, the owner of the Dogs' Home, is being pressured into selling up. Flora has run this home for many years and remembers all the dogs that have passed through her gates and gone on to be re-homed. Selling up is not an option for her.
Sally is one of those who work with Flora and she left her very different career to do what she loves and works with the dogs to train them and their owners. Let's be honest here, it is often the owners that need training, our dog Billy has spent years training us so that we know when he is asking for a treat, to be let out or wants you to chase him around the garden because he has just pinched a sock! But on a serious note, the author does have some points to make about training.
Sally, sorry I got a little sidetracked... she has been working at the home and loves her life. A blast from her past suddenly comes back into the picture and she is in turmoil about it. She also has some news from home that rocks her.
The story ambles along at a wonderful pace, bringing in characters and other threads. All the time the author shows a sense of family and friendship. It is a story and a series that many fans of romance, rom-com and contemporary fiction will enjoy. It is light-hearted but with some serious things as well. Gorgeous story and one I would definitely recommend.
Sarah Hope has become one of my favourite authors of romance, she has a special talent to draw me in to a story, ensuring that I don’t want to put the book down, making me laugh, cry, lifting me up, destroying me a little, and then putting me back together better than before.
How lovely it must be to know your words create new worlds and bring happiness and a lovely escape to people, even if for a little while. I’m always appreciative of all the wonderful authors that bring some extra joy into my , its definitely needed.
A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home is third book in the wagging tails dogs home series, although part of a series, I think you could read this as a standalone, But I will say, I don’t know why you’d want to deprive yourself of two extra wonderful books when you can have the whole series and enjoy it so much more.
I’m a massive animal person, I won’t say dog person because I don’t limit it to just dogs, I love all animals. Dogs, cats, birds, rodents, insects, you name it I will love it. So I’m so delighted when this focuses on the canine cast as much as the human cast of characters as they are just as important to me. Although to be fair, I place a lot of animals higher than a lot of humans. I love how slow burn the romance in the story is, my favourite is always slow burn, nothing better than tension to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, this is a beautiful story full of doggos, drama, friendship, community and of course some romance. Highly recommended to any fans of romance, dogs, animals in general and wonderful writing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sally is the relatively new dog trainer at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home, but she quickly becomes part of the team. Whilst out in the City one day she sees her ex Andy. He is the one that got away and she has never quite been able to forget about him completly. With her life at a crossroads romantically and with her job as a developer is trying to buy up all the land near the sanctuary, Sally has some very important decisions to make.
I haven't actually read the other books in the series, and I hadn't realised when I requested it there are two previous books. I am not sure if this impacted my enjoyment at all. But I do feel like I may have been missing out on the other staffs backgrounds or more about the business itself. However, being an animal lover, this was such a great read I found myself smiling at the dogs antics throughout the book.
The characters are really well developed and I couldn't help rooting for Sally and Andy from the outset. The romance part of the book is very sweet and a slow burn. Making this book an easy escape for an hour or two.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, I enjoyed the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There aren't enough words for how much I am absolutely loving this series, and this was another fabulous addition to it.
I felt right at home almost instantly, having seen Sally in the previous books, and dog training and dog behaviour is absolutely fascinating.
And there was a moment during the book that absolutely melted my heart to "Puddles" of mush. It really did show off the best parts of working in a dogs home.
However it is a struggle for Wagging Tails' to stay in business especially when there is a property developer about, and there is a fight in Sally, Flora and Gina's hands to make sure the dogs home will survive.
Sally also has her old love who comes back into her life, but whether they still have feelings for each other, you will have to discover for yourself.
This was so enjoyable and I devoured the pages really quicky. I love books featuring animals, and this book and this series is just a joy to read. I'm loving it so so much and looking forward to my next visit to the Wagging Tails. Oh and if I could please visit, and give the dogs a cuddle, that would be amazing.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I have read and enjoyed all the books in this heartwarming series! In this one we follow Sally as she continues to work at the dog home and train dogs. With her ex in town and developers sniffing around Wagging Tails it is a drama filled story! For me what I love the most about this book is the dog's. I feel my heart fill up with love when each dog finds a forever home. I am a big dog lover so I cry when the dogs are sad or mistreated and I also cry when they find there happy ever after. I read so many books and I find that the ones about humans never get the waterworks like the dog ones. I also do love the humans that work at Wagging Tails as they are my kind of people. I love how much they are all so passionate about helping the dogs and they support each other. Each and every dog has a special place in there hearts. The author has done a brilliant job of detailing what dog rescue is like. If you don't like dogs as much as myself you will still enjoy reading the book as it has romance and drama. A brilliant bunch of friends and community. I will be holding my breath until the next book so I hope you are writing Sarah! (Lol).
A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home is the third book in the series. Though it is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone without missing anything important. I love the fact that the book is focused on dog rescue and hope it inspires some to help dogs in some way: adoption, volunteering or even monetarily. The book is a real ray of sunshine, guaranteed to make even the darkest skies bright. After you're done reading your heart will be filled with gladness. The characters are well thought out and well developed, friendly sorts who want the best for the dogs and have a lot of empathy. The plot moves along at a medium pace, not getting offtrack. There is a light romance going, a second chance at love possibly. The focus is not on the romance though which was nice to see. The story is lighthearted but with some serious parts as well. Puddles stole my heart; I'm rooting for you little one. A sure win, once you start this book you'll be hooked.
Pub Date 20 Mar 2024 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The community of volunteers at the Dogs' Home is as strong as ever and the story has a familiar feel from the beginning. The focus of this story is Sally who has started anew and is building up a promising business. Putting down roots, she is settled in West Par. When her family contact her, she is horror struck at the suggestion that she should return to their legal business. She has tried so hard to find her own way in life, not the path laid out for her by her family. She has some decisions to make. Sally's past returns also in the form of her ex- Andy which is a huge shock for her.
Alongside Sally's life, there are the events and the dogs at the Dogs' Home which is under threat from an aggressive building firm who wants the Dogs Home to be sold to them. There is quite a fight to save the Dogs' Home but you see the determination and ingenuity of the friends there. This is another enjoyable story in an entertaining series.
In short: Uplifting reading Thanks to the publisher for as copy of the book
Anything with ‘wagging tails’ in the title has to be a good book, right? As soon as I saw the title, I knew I wanted to be included on the blog tour for A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. This is the third book in the series and I haven’t read any of the others. This can be read as a standalone, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and read the others.
I loved most of the characters in the book. They’re warm and friendly, and I felt a part of their lives from the very beginning. I wanted cuddles from all the dogs that were staying in the dogs’ home and I loved the Nemo puppies the best!
To be honest, the human characters were just a sideline to the dogs who were one hundred per cent the stars of this book. I think you'll like this one if you love dogs, great characters and a warm and easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope.
This is the 3rd book in the series but the book can be easily read as a stand-alone with no need for prior knowledge of the previous novels .
This is a slice of life , cozy read focused on Sally - employee for wagging tails rescue center — romance for Sally is the secondary theme - where as Sally gaining independence and respect from her family for her life choices is a main theme a long with rescue center community . This book like the previous book also focuses on adding little tidbits about dealing with rescue dogs which I love the focus on the animals throughout as I’m a avid dog lover and promoter of adoption over buying from pet stores .
A light hearted read — with undertones of dealing with hard issues of life that most readers could easily relate to.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this ARC. This is my honest review.
I really enjoyed book 1 in the series and I loved book 2 even more than book 1, I guess because I loved Poppy and Flora. Both Poppy and Flora reappear in this story, and Flora still has a big role, but book 3 is really Sally's story and I just didn't connect with her as much as with Poppy.
I still really enjoyed Sally's story and finding out whether the dogs' home really was in danger with the developers next door and what that would then do to them and everyone there. There were once again a lot of dogs in this story, many with great personalities which I loved and some really touching moments that got me emotional, but I also smiled and just enjoyed the story, but with a bad feeling in my stomach for when Sally would figure it all out.
This book can easily be read as a stand-alone although it is book 3 in the series.
So this is my first book by Sarah Hope and I loved it. I love West par and desperately want to move there right now.
So this book is the 3rd in the series and I haven't read the others so will definitely be going back to read them.
We meet Sally who we find out is single after splitting from her long term boyfriend Andy. She now works at the Dogs Home. Along the way she has to deal with her feelings when Andy comes back and a new housing plan that includes getting rid of the Dogs home.
I loved this book it was so feel good and I didn't feel like I missed anything by not reading the other 2. It has made me want to read the others because I love the dogs home setting, I love the characters and where they live and I love all the dogs with the different characters and I really wanted them to find homes and be happy. I give this ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
I believe this book is part of a series, and I haven't read any of the previous books, but I enjoyed this one. The book seemed to radiate warmth and charm, and I found myself warming to all the characters - both the humans and canines. I liked the protagonist, Sally, and appreciated her bonds of friendship with some of the other characters. It also seemed that the dogs helped the other characters bond and brought them closer in some ways, so I really liked that.
This book made me smile, and I think readers of feel-good romance will enjoy it, especially if they're dog lovers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, the publisher, and the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
It's Sally's turn to find romance and it turns out to be the man she left behind "for his own good". Sally is devoted to the dogs and people at the Wagging Tails Dog Home and her former beau is the travelling sort. Add in the usual problems in rehoming dogs, and a looming issue of a developer sniffing around. It's a great feelgood story and written so well that the characters really come alive. This can't be a true unbiased review because I love rescue dogs and the people who love them. I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you! #WaggingTailsDogsHomeBk3 #FeelGood #Romance #RescueDogs
I’ll start off by saying that this is not a romance book at all, it is a women’s fiction book with some very small elements of romance thrown in for good measure.
While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
Set at a dog rescue centre, the story follows Sally as she reconnects with her ex while trying to rehome and save stray and abandoned dogs.
The plot was predictable and the conversations between characters felt forced. With that in mind, it was still a super lightweight, okay read, easily finished in an hour.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
Okay, so I have a small (fine, huge) obsession with dogs, and my sister had a wonderful cocker spaniel called Millie, AKA Pudding, sadly now over the rainbow bridge. So when I read the name Puddles for a dog in the first chapter, I knew this book was exactly the kind of dog story I needed. I haven't read the 2 previous books in the series, but I didn't feel like I needed to. I will now go back and read them, because I need more Wagging Tails stories in my life! After the recent stress in my personal life, this came as a welcome escape filled with my favourite animal. There is still drama, and a little romance thrown in, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home is the third book in a series written by Sarah Hope.
The story showcases Sally, a passionate dog trainer who is getting accustomed to her new role at the dogs’ home. When her ex, Andy, reappears in her life, it sparks uncertainty about the future. Meanwhile, the team faces challenges with Lyle, a disliked property developer intent on purchasing their land. Will they find a resolution to these conflicts?
The characters are relatable, especially Cindy, the lovely greyhound, with whom I connected as I, too, feel uneasy when alone. The vivid descriptions of the village of West Par evoke a desire to visit immediately.
I’ve read and reviewed the previous two books in this amazing series so I just knew I’d love this one just as much. (I was right!)
This time it’s all about Sally who’s the resident Dog Trainer at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home.
I was so happy to be reunited with all the characters in this series, they’re all so lovely and wholesome, they make you feel like you’re getting a warm hug when you read about them. (don’t forget the dogs!)
Sally has a had such a hard/sad life before she came to the dogs home , now she’s finally happy but when a figure from her past shows up and with struggles at the place she works and loves so much can she have it all?.
This was the perfect third instalment for this fantastic series, it continues a few long running storylines from the previous books which I was keen to find out the conclusion too. ( sorry no spoilers here)
I’d happily read another ten books in this series.
A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home is the third book in the series The Wagging Tails Dogs' Home by Sarah Hope. It can easily be read as a stand-alone book. A book that is focused on rescue dogs that has a bit of romance in it also but not a lot which is ok for the story. I enjoyed the theme of recuse dogs needing love and more in their lives. The characters all connect so well for me in this book. Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Hope and Boldwood Books for the book. This is my personal review.
The third story in this entertaining series focuses on Sally and Andy and their second-chance romance. The dogs' home is busy as always, but there are sinister goings-on when a developer wants to buy their land at any price. Whilst the themes are not new, and it's not difficult to guess what will happen, the characters are relatable, and the dogs are delightful. This immersive read has a lovely mix of laughter and poignancy and ends upliftingly. It's a book to escape with.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
The premise of this story sounded good. I didn't realize there were other books in this series. For me the conversations between the characters and the main character's thoughts seemed forced and not natural. I was disappointed. I really wanted to like this novel; however, the story was very predictable which made me lose interest, and there was very little actual romance.
I enjoyed this feel good story. I liked the characters both canine and human. I also liked that it was quite a quick, easy, short-ish read but because of that I would really have liked more. More of the dogs' stories and training, more interactions between the characters and more of the romance. Apparently it is part of a series though so there is more to read.....